The Beast Transforms into a Beauty as Godzilla Becomes the Brigitte Bardot

May 25, 2011

The Beast Transforms into a Beauty as Godzilla Becomes the Brigitte Bardot

The Brigitte Bardot dockside. Photo: Libby Miller (click to view larger version)Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s fast interceptor and scout vessel the Gojira (Godzilla) helped chase the entire Japanese whaling fleet out of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary earlier this year. It was quite funny to have the Japanese media report that the whaling fleet was fleeing from Godzilla. But as frightening as Godzilla may be, there is one thing far more terrifying – Godzilla’s lawyers.

Sea Shepherd was served with a notice to remove the name from our vessel. This is not really a problem since the Gojira served its purpose in routing the Japanese fleet so they can quite willingly retire the name. In the meantime, Sea Shepherd Founder, Captain Paul Watson, made a proposal to the Brigitte Bardot Foundation to rename the vessel the Brigitte Bardot after the dedicated animal rights activist. The relationship between Brigitte and Paul goes way back to 1977 when Captain Watson took Bardot to the ice off the coast of Labrador to pose cheek to cheek with a baby seal.

With that one iconic photo alone, Bardot brought the cause and need to protect harp seals to the world’s attention, a pivotal point in the fight to stop this annual Canadian obscenity of cruelty and mass slaughter.

Sea Shepherd and the Brigitte Bardot Foundation have worked together in partnership for many years, recently teaming up in an effort to end the barbaric slaughter of pilot whales in the Danish Faeroe Islands.

And thus, the newly painted Brigitte Bardot is now part of the Sea Shepherd fleet joining the Steve Irwin and the Bob Barker in our ongoing campaigns to defend life in our oceans from illegal exploitation by high seas poachers.

Captain Albert Falco, the legendary oceanographer of the Cousteau Society, broke a bottle of champagne on the bow of the Brigitte Bardot to officially launch the vessel under her new name. The ceremony was attended by Sea Shepherd crew and staff, along with members of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, and the media.

“It’s a beautiful ship with a beautiful name and it is a vessel that will reflect the compassion of Brigitte Bardot in partnership with the passionate interventionist direct action tactics of Sea Shepherd,” said Captain Watson.

Bardot was not in attendance but participated in the launching with Captain Watson describing the ceremony to her in real time. She told Captain Watson she was “delighted...and you and your crew warm my heart with your courage and dedication.”

The Brigitte Bardot will head to Libyan waters within a week to track down bluefin tuna poachers taking advantage of the war zone to illegally exploit these endangered fish. The Brigitte Bardot will be joined on this campaign by the Sea Shepherd flagship Steve Irwin.

Letter to Paul Watson from Brigitte Bardot

Dear Paul,

“Captain of my heart.”

I’m moved, overwhelmed and infinitely grateful that this wonderful “ savior of the seas” will wear my name to fight against those who allow themselves to butcher what is most precious in the oceans.

Thank to you Paul for this magical idea that fulfills me with pride.

Together we will win!

You are the strength and the courage, I’m the love and determination.

May the Brigitte Bardot led by Paul Watson be a symbol of victory,

I love you.

Brigitte

The Launching of the Brigitte Bardot

Video credit: Sea Shepherd (1:34)

The Brigitte Bardot as Gojira.Photo: Gary Stokes

Paul Watson and Brigitte Bardoton ice floe, 1977

Albert Falco breaks a bottle of champagne on the bow. Photo: Libby Miller